Mary Elizabeth Walters Preparing to Take Her Place in History

WOOSTER, Ohio — History has a special place in the life of Mary Elizabeth Walters, and on June 6, 2009, Walters will have a special place in history when she speaks at the dedication of the Pathfinder Memorial for the 101st Airborne, the 82nd Airborne, and the 9th Troop Carrier on the beaches of Normandy.

A first-year student from Cheraw, S.C. (about 30 minutes from Darlington), Walters’ improbable journey to Normandy began five years ago as an eighth grader at Trinity Collegiate School. Her American History teacher assigned students a research project on a topic of their choice, which would culminate in a paper, display, or skit. Walters didn’t realize it at the time, but she was actually getting her first exposure to I.S. (Wooster’s nationally acclaimed Independent Study program, which matches a student with a faculty member in a year-long research project that culminates in a graduate-level thesis, performance, or exhibition).

In searching for a topic, Walters learned about the Pathfinders through a friend who saw a program on the History Channel. Walter’s curiosity led her to several promising leads, including information on the National Pathfinder Association. She made contact with the organization, and tracked down one of the original Pathfinders, Robert Sechrist, who parachuted into Normandy. The two struck up a relationship by phone, and the information began to flow.

Pathfinders were particularly courageous soldiers, according to Walters. “They went in before the paratroopers to set up radio beacons and light strips under the cover of darkness,” she said. “They were exceptionally brave men who were basically on a suicide mission because they were not expected to come back. All they knew was that they were going to confront the Germans sooner than the rest of the troops. The volunteers usually fell into one of three categories: (1) those who just wanted to kill as many Germans as possible; (2) those who were curious about the top-secret mission; and (3) those who were considered troublemakers and whose commanding officers wanted to get rid of them.”

Walter’s created a display about the Pathfinders and entered it into the National History Day contest. She won the school and district competition and advanced to state, where her project received the Top Military Award. Walters did not go to nationals, but her involvement with the Pathfinders continued.

“Mr. Sechrist was helping to plan the memorial, and he invited me to speak at the ceremony next summer,” said Walters. “I have been asked to talk about what it meant to be one of these special volunteers, based on my research.”

Walters said she was shocked by the invitation. “I had no idea that (Mr. Sechrist) had any plans for me to speak, but he thought I could capture the essence of the group. I’ve done a lot of work with the Pathfinders, and he thought I could best tell their story. I just hope he’s right.”

Walters still has plenty of time to refine her address, which will be delivered in front of a statue of a paratrooper descending from the sky. During the course of her research, she interviewed a number of the surviving paratroopers, who greeted her warmly despite her age. “I think they realized that if they didn’t tell their story now, they might not get the chance,” she said. Right now she is sorting through close to 90 tapes of the interviews she conducted that must be transcribed.

Walter’s interest in history germinated during the hours she spent watching the History Channel with her father, George, who owns Sandhill Quilting Company, Inc., which manufactures furniture pads, dollies, straps, and other materials for moving companies. 
History has since become a passion for Walters. In high school, she had a Top-10 finish in National History Day competition, and her interest in history and research made Wooster a logical first choice. “I met with Professor Schilling and Professor Pozefsky when I visited campus, and both were very enthusiastic about my work with the Pathfinders,” she said. “I wanted a small-college environment where I would get to know and work with professors. I wanted a place where there would be a broad range of students with different backgrounds and interests. I wanted a school where it would be cool to be smart. Wooster was the perfect place for me.”